Fasting

Fasting

The Lenten Regulations on Fasting and Abstinence are as follows:

Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence. All of the faithful between the ages of 18 through 59, who are otherwise in good health, should eat only one full meal on Ash Wednesday. Two lighter meals are also permitted. Additionally, the law of abstinence requires that all of those who are 14 years of age or older are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday.

Similarly, Good Friday is also a day of fast and abstinence. The same regulations apply as on Ash Wednesday. (This is part of the most ancient fast in the Church, the Paschal Fast for Easter. The Holy See encourages all to continue that fast, where possible, into Holy Saturday. This is especially true for the catechumens and candidates for initiation.)

The Fridays of Lent are to be observed as days of abstinence. All of the faithful who are 14 years of age and older should abstain from eating meat on the Fridays of Lent.